JERSEY RFC coach Dai Burton has decided to stay with the team he has taken to the London South-West Division III title and lead them, for a year at least, in Division II next season.

The Channel Islands’ coach of the year, although initially reluctant to commit himself for a fourth year, after saying he would quit after three, is upbeat about a team which he believes will do well in the division – not least because come the summer there won’t be the usual exodus of players which, annually, is a feature of an Island way of life.

For many reasons the Island attracts players for only a short period before they move to the UK or abroad but, to date, this doesn’t seem like happening; although both winger Richard Finch and young Matt Banahan seem England-bound.

‘We’ve a good team spirit, which it would be hard for anyone to leave; and I’m staying partly because it’s only fair that we get established in this division before moving on.

‘Guy Hinks will be helping me again, although we might think about appointing a scrummaging specialist, to look after the forwards.

Having said that, I don’t want to change the style of rugby we play.

‘This year we’ve proved that our running and support play are exceptionally good.

We also win our fair share of ball at line-outs and although I accept that we have weaknesses, the way to win games is to concentrate on our strengths.

‘We might have conceded points in our last two games, but if we score 50 to another side’s 20, I’ll not be disappointed.

‘Besides, I would have felt guilty if I had to see all of the hard work we’ve put into the team disappear.

We’ve coached the team in the way they’re good at; we have running forwards and there has to be continuity in the game.’ Burton’s opponents today, Weybridge Vandals, would envy Jersey’s coach and a winning team which, this season, has been unbeaten in 17 games with a points-for total of 684.

In turn, lying seventh in the league, Weybridge have won eight games, lost nine, with a points-for total of just 251 – the third worst in the league.

Defensively they are fairly strong, but that is strength which comes from a dour, forward-dominated game, and if Jersey win enough ball, their back-row and threes have the ability to score form virtually anywhere on the pitch.

Burton, himself, expects another decisive win, and with just three games left he wants to end the season as he began it.

Unbeaten, and totally in control.

Jersey RFC chairman Chris Scott will now stand for re-election in July.

He had intended to stand down after this, his third season.

Jersey RFC: Marcus Nobes, Doc Snook, Josh Chamier, Danny McAlister, Roger Quirk, Brett Els, Ian Henderson, Matt Banahan, Dave Miles, Darren Toudic, Matt Davenport-Brown, Andy Whelan, Mark White, James Milner, Gareth Jeffreys.

Replacements: Gareth Thomas, Ross Allan.